Hello to the ten maybe twenty people who keeps reading this fic 26 chapters later…its funny because I don't see you in the numbers but I see you when I make an update. Which makes me wonder where the hell are the 60 people of chapter two, maybe in the middle of the road…and it's a long road
If you are very very very delighted with one fic and want a continuation I didn't write or post you can donate me at least $5 bucks, most of this fics have next chapters I don't finish because lack of motivation but hey a $5 is a $5, I see a few reviews and comments that fics that are abandoned months laters receive comments of wanting to know what happens next. Here it is, I finished my handling with you all, enjoy the fic
Maccready keep writing letters for the Elder Maxson, giving him as much information he could "Be ready for everything at any moment" was the thing that craved on his mind after Reading it 500 times. Arthur was so stressed he wanted to cry all the time, cry and punch things, he started drinking more and more because he felt like needing something all the time, of course what he needed was his pregnant woman and his baby, there was no way to calm the absence.
One day he received a package from the mercenary, it wasn't exactly a letter, it was a holotape with information, a medical report and…the signs of the report says vault 111. It was Noras vault…the mercenary could be a killer but was a good fella and keep his word, so…she may be there or she is there right now…in the moment he read that his chest started to go up and down in anxiety, should he go out there? Take Nora from the vault by force? Pull her out to the Prydwen? He was suffering so much this loneliness…
The report says that…she was okay…according with what Cade teach him, this numbers were…fine…knowing that his baby was okay really put him in ease, she knew what she was doing despite all, despite making him suffer like this. So…she was there…locked on a tomb by herself. Their son will born trapped in a vault…but at least with good, spotless, pure, and sanitized medical equipment, didn't Nora had a nurse robot also? He meet the robot at the party in Sactuary…oh remembering that place make his head hurt, everything started to go downhill there
Why Maccready revelead this information to him? Sure he don't expect the ignorant mercenary of the Commonwealth to know how to write or change information of a terminal file, maybe he just take out the holotape and it's the better he can do but there must be something else, the location was there for some reason. Should he send his spy there? It was extremely difficult to break into a vault and Nora will be extra careful about this subject to even let him have the chance to break inside…
For now…he will wait…the wait will be over soon after all, they expend most of the pregnancy apart from each other, the best months she push him away, at least he secured her during the first two months as much he could.
But one day one month later…
Preston Garvey and a bunch of mercenarys around a caravan appeared in front of the Boston Airport. That man and Maccready were recently authorized to be escorted directly to the command deck in the Prydwen without asking but when the elder was informed that the minutemen was carrying a crying baby…he run to the deck and wait for the ventibird to go up and land. Heart pounding, feeling like almost vomiting of anxiety, needing to hold himself to the bars feeling his knees failing. Ohmygodohmygod this was the day.
He was prepared since Maccready give him that letter, super mentalized but still he was today…meeting his baby.
Wait why Nora wasn't with him? The realization made his heart ache.
The ventibird went up and settled in the landing port, a man quickly came out with a bundle in his arms, a bundle that was crying loud and strong. The elders heart stopped as he went closer meeting with Preston eyes, the man immediately give him the bundle of blankets opening his arms and Arthur pick him like…he knew…he never hold a baby before and this wasn't the best place to learn but it felt correct to want to have it on his arms, it was a need.
He moved away a bit from the wind and air forces that the helicopter blades do, going to the center of the flight port, walking back into the zeppelin as Preston followed him, there was a lot of noise and chaos around but his eyes can only focus on…the crying baby squirming and moving on his arms.
It was a pink and very small newborn strangely chubby but it looked so healthy and fine. Once the Paladin in power armor guarding the entrance open the door both men went inside, hearing more clearly the crying and screams of the scared baby. The sounds resonate all over the zeppelin and the first ones to come and give a visit were the scribes and Lancer Kells, the first people when you enter into the Prydwen.
The people down there at the control port went up the steps to meet the elder and the general, not wanting to say much since it was a sensitive subject, all this family pregnancy thing with the sentinel was a sensitive theme of conversation but it just felt correct to congratulate the elder of the brotherhood for his first newborn.
-Ad Victoriam Elder Maxson –just said all in chorus, nothing more, no congratulations, no what a cute baby, no questions, nothing, just say that and leave down back to work, not wanting to get in trouble for sneaking their noses into the elder troubled business
Preston looked strangely at it, Arthur just raise up the head to nod not sure if in agreement or gratitude he surely wasn't paying attention and look back at his baby, starting to move his arms thinking it would calm it, walking slowly to the command deck. The man stood in front of the view of the Commonwealth, all the fight led him to Nora, and all this horrible months led him to this baby, it was worth it.
Preston hold a little paper to Arthur, who take his time to take off the eyes of the baby and try to catch it with his hand still holding the blankets- It's a girl –said the minutemen.
"Her name is Arya. Arthur+Nora" said the note written in the perfect Noras calligraphy. He was able to read it with her voice even with the babys crying around.
Now, in a more quiet place without all the chaos of the ventibird he see that the baby had the blankets he send a month and half ago.
-Wheres Nora? –ask Arthur unconsciously, in any of this days he take the time to try to imagine what future after the baby was born they will have, or how events will develop because it will only hurt him, thinking on something that changes constantly for worse.
-Fine, I was with her the whole time and the birth went all fine
-But where is she? –one of his hands move to the babys cheek, placing the side of his fingers against it, ohmygosh it was so soft.
-Still in Sactuary
-Recovering? Was it difficult? –the crying was stopping slowly thank god. For some reason he felt so relieved
-Not exactly, she is preparing some stuff –Preston take a holotape from his coat and leave it on the small table, calling Arthurs attention while he was still shushing the baby
He stood there, frozen, unable to move or think at all when he saw her light blue eyes between her crying eyelids, it had his same color, the crying starting ago take him out of his trance and he reacted to shush the baby again, calming her.
-Stuff like what?
-Even I don't have that many details
-She is not planning to stay around? –ask the elder shocked, was she going to abandon their daughter with him?
-She gave me Arya, the note, the holotape and said "take her to Arthur immediately, tell him to listen the holotape in a moment of peace" and I did what I was told…she was born in the early morning so we spent most of the morning and noon walking here. I left her under Curies cares
Idiot, how can he leave the other general in such a vulnerable situation under the care of a robot?
-I can believe it, how can you know she isn't dead by now? –ohgoshnodontthinkonthatnoraisstrong
-She isn't, you will see her around wandering the commonwealth in a few weeks maybe –he place the baby against his shoulder, caressing her back, she was becoming quiet
-Wait she has to nurse her and…-Preston look at him sad and Arthur felt his feets heavy- you gotta be kidding me
-I cant talk for her but…she gave me Arya immediately like it was something I needed to deliver fast –she wouldn't be with her?- we were talking this days and…she said it was your daughter, never wanting to talk about her like her mother –Arthurs hand moved to the baby head to secure it, caressing lightly, do in it almost automatically, unable to think straight
-She cant do this, this is not going to last, she is going to come back like other times, this is her daughter –he said confused, moving in circles.
-You were the one searching for her elder- that make Maxson stop in his place, annoyed, crossing his eyebrows, but it was true- Nora is still to attached…to his dead son Shaun.
That motherfucker? There's no way she was leaving her daughter behind for that killer. A ball of tangled strings appeared on his chest, this baby right in his arms was so pure and beautiful to be leaved behind because she still had fellings for that monster…there was no point of comparison between them.
-I can't believe this –he said feeling the chest compressed in pain and angust, how can despise their child together for that monster that kidnapped so many people even in the years he was leader? Unveliable.
-I know its not your fault elder –said Preston feeling a bit of grief for him- its her who is too damaged to fix –why does everybody sees it except her!?- I can only say…hear the holotape alone and at peace…
-Did you hear it? –ask Maxson feeling his eyes and nose watering trying not to cry in front of someone he didn't know that well
-Of course not –said Preston- but I know she is doing things wrong –it wasn't enough, the lame and pity of everybody wasn't enough
-This is fucked up from her –the minutemen stand in silence, Arthur take a moment to leave a kiss in her forehead when she started to only squirm comfortable in his arms and then look at Preston- did you travel all the way here in the sun?
-She was covered the entire time and we avoid zones with radiation, that's why it took us longer to arrive –his face turn red of anger, walking in circles in front of the window.
-Stupid, she could just call for a signal to pick you up if she didn't wanted to come here -she had the authority for that and still make the baby cross the entire commonwealth to arrive in his fathers arms
-I swear we came as fast as possible elder
-Because she wanted to get rid of her! –in a moment he raised his voice more than he wanted, but stopped, because he felt the baby shock and surprise, quickly he caresses her head again to no alarm her. Oh man he had so much stuff to think off, surely Cade knows how to replace her mothers milk and heat
-The way Nora acts it's a mistery even for me sometimes, im the first human alive that know her the longest and…sometimes its difficult to understand her
-What do you mean? –first human? Arthur supposed the first robot was Codsworth
-Well I know she let the synth copy of his son die when the institute blow up –Preston saw the surprise in the elders face and turn his head down- I spoke too much
-no –he demanded- I want to understand better
-Im not turning down on her, she is our general
-I know she was the leader of raiders gangs in the commonwealth –now he catches the minuteman attention, who bite his cheeks in the insides.
-Im loyal, we work together, she does amazing but…its okay if there's things you can't forgive –the man close his fits, looking elsewhere.
-If she abandons Arya I will never forgive her –said Maxson full of resentment holding the baby a bit tighter, it was one thing having traumas and shitty attitudes towards him but their daughter wasn't guilty of anything.
-There was a time she gave her back to four settlements in the commonwealth…to give them to some raiders gangs…she gave her back to me and the justice we were applying on the commonwealth, I never understand why she did it and never fixed it neither, im never forgetting the owners of that houses, the families that lived there, the settlers that stablished there expecting a better new life –Nora had a lot of dark sides, and Arthur can see that this subject…really hurt him, he gets it, it was like having a soldier go against the brotherhood beliefs…it was like when she say he loved Danse despite being a synth. Not being able to see his true nature, only a machine.
-How much do you know about Shaun? Noras son –ask the elder-
-Glimpses honestly, not much, but until destroying the institute by her own she asked the minutemen first for help so I follow some of that story…
-Why is a mystery that she killed the synth copy? After all it wasn't the real one
-Are you kidding? Nora kill on rampages for that kid, if that was the last of her son she should keep it after wanting it so much
-Its a synth Preston -oh gosh not now, he didn't have any interest for this kind of conversations, his baby was far more important, who was doing the most adorable sounds
-You know as well as me that Nora has a lot of synth friends -even a love interest back then.
-Maybe something about her son change along the way -the minuteman raised his eyebrow in surprise.
-You know something, mind to tell me?
-No -Maxson flip his back to Preston who only sighted in discomfort
-Alright
-When should I...see her around? -why does he keeps caring? he felt so horrible about not being the 3 together and still worries.
-I don't know, this last days she was repairing her X-01 Nuka Quantum but i don't know the reason-both stay in silence for a few moments-just listen the holotape elder.
-I can't believe she didn't even breastfeed her -he stood in silence, moving a bit the arms to look at his babys face, take some time to appreciate it and hug her -Thank you for coming Preston, a ventibird will send you home
Both say goodbye, Arthur give the order to take the general to Sanctuary, maybe to take care of Nora or not, depending if she wanted any help
The first thing he did was taking the baby almost running for Cades nursery, every soldier could see the elder running with a budget of blankets that moves and do sounds so the rumors will spread fast but who cares his baby needed attention quickly
-Was she breastfeed? -ask the man pulling slightly the blankets off
-I don't believe so -the expression in Cade turned dark, but still he pulls out the stethoscope to hear her heart and breathing, picking one of her small hands gosh he forgot to do that! -can you ask the other chapters for supplys?
-Yes? what does she need? -he panicked.
-Formula and vitamins, if she isn't going to receive her mother's milk better replace it with something -Cade take a look at her mouth, opening it lightly -mothers milk has a lot of grease that will quickly help her to get big and fat to keep warm, altought now she is pretty chubby.
-Noras genetics were naturally like this, she was only skinny now
-Also diapers and a lot of antibiotics, babys develops a lot of fevers, you need to pay attention to that from now on -Arthur nooded as Cade leave the stethoscope a side to pic a thermometer- are you going to take care of her? -the question almost boil the mans blood
-Of course -he said pressing his teeth in fury
-Not like that, im asking if you need help from the nurses, there's a few mothers with experience here in the Prydwen -Cade look down on his chubby job, working with the thermometer
The question put him in blank. Didnt know, he should not replace her mother so fast...but she needed someone with experience...he seriously counted on Nora guiding him. He feeled ready to do this alone but no...qualified. He needed guide and instruction. But definitely wasn't ready to bond with nobody.
-I guess i could use some...maternity documents...-he said lost, feeling fool for not thinking in this possibility before...it was right...he had nobody...Arya and him were alone. Surrounded by brotherhood brothers and sisters but...alone...
-Are you sure elder? -ask Cade opening the blankets- newborns are extremely delicate, you will need the help
-Im sure if i have an emergency the nurse room will be open to help the elders daughter
Cade stay in silent until he answers.
-Of course
-Her name is Arya, Arya Maxson -the name froze Cade a bit, it was a strong name, it sounded good. And it just makes sense with her lightblue eyes. Nora didn't have a surname registered in the brotherhood and he supposed it was out of place ask for hers since this was the situation...
-Did she have her first poop yet? -the question take Arthur out of place. Cade open the infant clothes and the cloth diaper that Arthur sent to Nora just to find it..slightly wet but not dirty.
-I don't know, i suppose she didn't -shit right this was important. He shouldn't be in this situation, he had his woman, he had the mother of this baby and she just...
-Alright -Cade cover the little girl with the blankets- can you dress her elder? -as soon the man ask that Arthur run to her and started to close the diaper and the clothes, it was important he gets familiar with this -ill see with what i can jam a supply of formula and vitamins for this days, she will want to eat a lot, maybe not now but in an hour.
Did really Nora was that much of a monster to not breastfeed her? Making her travel an entire day across the commonwealth and not feed her newborn?
-Ill ask for supplies to arrive as soon as possible -said the elder getting anxious, covering a bit the babys eyes with his hand, the lights were too bright!
-She will cry, all the time -Cade warn the elder, who look at him paying all the attention in the world- cry for all things, for attention, warm, food, water, playing, discomfort, new sensations, feeling sick, need to poop or piss, everything, and will ask for food all the time too. Should i send the bottles to your quarters? or you will leave her here?
-Here? why? does she needs it? -actually he didn't want to be apart from his baby.
-I can give her formula by needle but its the same, i still have to prepare it and it will do the same thing than a bottle -Cade was looking at his shells, planning things
-I prefer her with me -Arthur said without thinking twice
-Very well, should we do the ADN test? -the elder raise his head and look at him with doubts- when...we knew about this situation...one of the things you asked was if we can know who the father is...i remember that well -that was indeed a hard day of work- obviously at that stage it was impossible but now she is here born so
Arthur look at the baby, look deeply in her light blue eyes for some moments.
-Sure, if it doesn't hurt her
-Of course not -Cade said.
Why not. Now she was here after all
Supplies from the nursery were delivered into his quarters and at seeing the budge of blankets on what it was Noras side of the bed he can only think...he needs a cradle, and knows exactly were to get one. But for now he needed to improve this situation.
Arthur sat on the bed with one of the warm bottles of the supplies delivery in hand, picking her head for support and help, placing the dummy on her lips and...thank god she started slurping and sucking nicely like any baby would do, she should be hatching to her mothers warm flesh nipple but...this was their thing now, their only option, they have to do it together like this.
Hopefully this would fill her stomach and make her want to start eating...or making poop, in any case Cade was waiting for any of her responses to examine, as this formula of his was improvised with what he had on the nursery and the kitchen of the zeppelin, Arthur already send a note asking for certain baby's supplies like he did last time, this was a notice that his daughter with the troubled sentinel was already born, that Arthur Maxson at the eyes of every other brotherhood of steel chapter had now an heir, that Arya Maxson was finally born, the first born of Arthur and the hero of the Commonwealth Sentinel Nora.
It was unnecessary to clarify that she wasn't here, although if he was asking for formula they will figure out sooner or later that something was wrong in the Maxson family...damn he wanted to be the Maxson family so bad but right now...the baby hatching in the bottle was his family. His beautiful baby girl.
When she finishes the bottle...she may want to poop.
Arthur hold her without interrupting the bottle, looking at her rounded cheeks moving at every slurping, he walk in circles around the room looking for something in his pocket, taking out the holotape Preston give him and placing it in his terminal entry, willing to listen Noras bullshit again and again.
"Hello…Arthur " oh hello, he thinks at hearing the recording, her voice again giving him chills all spine down "this may be the last time I greet you with this name" a sight following a long silence were he can hear her breath "by the time im recording this im eight months pregnant with your child and I have to say…im sorry for everything I put you trough, Its not fair for you and if you are mad at me…well I deserve it…"more than mad he was all the time worried without a valid reason "I know and understand your feelings towards our child, its everything everywoman would hope of their partners but…Im still…conflictuated about my own son Shaun" why does she still thinks over that killer? He couldn't understand "as the older one let me give you a little piece of advice…your first son its like your first love, the love you feel is as strong as that…and you will feel it forever, im never getting rid of my feelings for Shaun…and you will experience the same with this baby" He look down at his baby daughter, gripping tighter on the blankets "I will never replace Shaun despite everything, I smash him, I let him burn…but I will always be his mother" a silence, a long silence in the tape"I lost all right to be the mother of this child and I frankly don't want it, I already have a son, a son I own life, if you want to tell him about me, do it, you can, but I will not be around, I still have debts to pay" pay to who? He was dead a long time before this happen "what we had was…legit and beautiful, I will always treasure the love we had for each other but I recognize I made too much damage to this relationship, you do not deserve this, the amount of traumas and pain I have and cannot leave back…our sons always come first and you will learn that sooner or later" tears started to form in the corners of his eyes hearing her"I will continue working for the brotherhood, I will continue working for you…but ill use my privileges as Sentinel to not follow direct missions and do my own in benefit and representation of the brotherhood" another silence"I know it will be hard to stay away from each other...but I don't deserve and im no good to be around you both…you know when I realized I was alone in this new word and my old house was destroyed…I found a holotape…from Nate and Shaun when he was a baby…I would listen to that tape all nights until falling asleep…I don't wish that for you, I don't want to harm you like that…that's why this holotape will automatically destroy after it finish playing for the first time" goddamn she will challenge him until the end, another silence, but he took the chance to think and concentrate, looking at the plug of the terminal on the wall, walking slowly to it"I love you…And the further away I am, the less I can hurt you, I'm sorry I can't give you the family that I made you wish…Elder Maxson has a lot of love to give…and I hope he finds someone who can receive it properly…goodbye elder…I wish you the best to you bo-" but before the holotape plays the last seconds, he unplugged the terminal, clearly she wanted to give him the choice of keeping the tape or letting it play until it destroys…
He couldn't let anything of her destroys forever…
Arya finished her bottle and closed her eyes, Maxson leaned down to leave a kiss on her forehead and that's when he realized that the beard was in the way, it presses against the baby face…he should shave. He sat on the bed with the baby on arms, looking at the power-off terminal…well he needed that terminal but some scribe will have to save that holotape first…
He felt his eyes heavy with tears, sniffing, looking down on their daughter together…no…his daughter…she didn't want to be her mom…
-Its okay –Arthur said, leaving the bottle to a side, picking her by the armpits up to place her in his shoulder- I will be forever at your side…Arya…
When the results were delivered into his quarters after a night of no sleeping at all taking care of his new baby…well he wasn't surprised at all
Arya Maxson was indeed the legit daughter of Arthur Maxson and Sentinel Nora according to the DNA both give to the brotherhood data base.
That baby will make him change diapers and be feeded every 3 hours for the first time, alone, but he was finally a father. This child will be his new devotion and biggest admiration of the elder Maxson for the following 7 years.
Soon, everybody in the Commonwealth heard the notice of the birth of the heir of the Prydwen.